Momentum problem with collision

[lzh]

Homework Statement

Assume an elastic collision (ignoring friction
and rotational motion).
A queue ball initially moving at 3.7 m/s
strikes a stationary eight ball of the same size
and mass. After the collision, the queue ball's
final speed is 2.1 m/s at an angle of theta with
respect to its original line of motion.

http://img506.imageshack.us/img506/3229/untitledjb3.png [Broken]
Find the eight ball's speed after the colli-
sion. Answer in units of m=s.

Homework Equations

p=mv
possibly energy equations

The Attempt at a Solution

This problem would've been alot easier if the problem provided theta's value. Without theta i only managed to get to this:
3.7=2.1cos(theta)+Vx
where Vx is the x component of the 8 ball after collision
0=2.1sin(theta)+Vy
where Vy is the y component of the 8 ball after collision
should i find theta first? or can I find one of the component's value first and then find theta?

 

[radou]

0=2.1sin(theta)+Vy

First of all, you missed a sign.

 

[lzh]

that doesnt matter does it?
just because Vy is negative you dont need to do this:
0=2.1sin(theta)-Vy
since that would end up having Vy's value as positive

 

[neutrino]

Vy is positive, and that is why you have to put the negative sign in front.

Although you haven't explicitly written it down, it's the components of the velocity vectors that you are equating.

So, you're second equation is something like
0j=2.1sin(theta)j-Vyj

 

[lzh]

j is the mass of the ball?
if so I left them out because they cancel

 

[neutrino]

j is the mass of the ball?
if so I left them out because they cancel

By j, I meant a unit-vector in the direction parallel to the y-axis.

0j=2.1sin(theta)j-Vyj
=> 0j=(2.1sin(theta)-Vy)j

Since the vectors are equal, so are their magnitudes, and that's how you get
0=2.1sin(theta)-Vy

 

[lzh]

oh, but I dont really see how that helps me in the problem

 

[jay ambekar]

hey guys may b u shud consider forming equs fom the line of collision.....tats how they did in our class....im not v comfertable wit it either, but ill get ma note book if u want

 

[lzh]

you mean breaking it into components? and having equation for x direction and y direction?

 

[jay ambekar]

well, in a similar prob, v got the first equs by e=v(seperation)/v(approach)...the other relations were used on the basis of LOC

 

[jay ambekar]

yea ...sumthing like tat...shud i get ma notebook?

 

[lzh]

this problem supposedly should use momentum formulae. And i dont think I've ever seen your way of doing it? I sorta dont get it... what exactly does e stand for here and what is LOC.
yeah plz get your notebook

 

[jay ambekar]

e=co-eff of restitution, n LOC is line of collision, , it says here newtons law of collision can only b applied along the loc

 

[jay ambekar]

ummm...u shud know tat im living in bombay, so even if the laws of physics dont change, the methods of attacking a ques do change ....n im currently trainig for iit entrance exam...so, idk wht level u r at

 

[lzh]

ah now i sort of get it, though they never taught about coefficient of restitution in school yet. So basically once i find the coeff of restitution all i need to do is subtract it by 2.1 m/s.

 

[jay ambekar]

now, for any spherrical bodies, loc is the line joining the centres of the two coliding bodies......u take the components of the resulting velocities along the loc, get the equs n solve......now i can giv u the solution inna while, but my personal advise wud b ,dont listen to me atall if the concept of loc is entirely new to u.....but frankly, i dont c how the prob can b tackled otherwise

 

[jay ambekar]

not quite, u on msn?

 

[lzh]

but there are 2 unknowns for this case, the velocity of 8 ball after collision and the coeff of restitution

 

[jay ambekar]

dear, u just said tat its a elastic collision, n to avoid friction n all, u ment a perfectly elastic collision, in this case, e=1, always

 

[jay ambekar]

whcih brings us to the eqn u already hav, u1= v1cos(theta)- v2....the udder eqs, i recommend u get aquainted wit the concept of loc

 

[lzh]

oh sorry i have not been looking on the second page, so my previous few posts might not have made sense

 

[jay ambekar]

wht class r u in?10th or 11th?

 

[lzh]

i'm using the forumula here:
http://www.racquetresearch.com/coeffici.htm [Broken]
so I basically set the equation equal to 1 and solve for the unknown velocity?

 

[lzh]

wht class r u in?10th or 11th?

I'm in 10th

 

[jay ambekar]

bcoz im in 11th , n they did e n loc whn they did collisions